In the last six weeks, I’ve had 12 job interviews, and each time I scheduled one, I set myself up for extreme disappointment. Why? Because I was way too hopeful about landing the interview in the first place, I failed to consider how many candidates I was likely up against, among many other things. Regardless, friends and family members assured me my odds were good and that I’d land “something” out of all those interviews. But when the interviewers reached out to say they’d decided to go in a different direction — or worse, completely ignored my follow-up emails — I was back to square one: “funemployed’ and browsing Craigslist jobs, Entertainment Careers, and the Tracking Board all over again.

Though it was tough having to begin my search a second time, I ended up scoring two interviews in one week. This time, however, I wasn’t so quick to applaud myself for it. I know how deceptive hope can feel, so when my roommate asked about my plans on Monday, I nonchalantly said I had another interview.

“Fingers crossed, but whatever,” I said with a laugh.

“Why not just call it a meeting?” she suggested.

This is actually an amazing piece of advice. Telling people you’re going on a “job interview” might not be the best thing if you’re not sure what the outcome will be, and I know from experience that it’s painful to talk about the interview aftermath more often than not. On too many occasions, I’ve gotten way too amped about a first or second interview and told friends and relatives just how badly I wanted to work with the interviewees. But when days and weeks of silence followed and my standing with the prospective employers remained unknown, I had no idea what to say when everyone I’d told about the interview asked for an update. It got really depressing to explain over and over again that I didn’t get the job or hadn’t even been told “no’ by the people who’d met with me.

So, as I continue my seemingly neverending search, I’m going to refer to every sit-down as a meeting. That takes the pressure off the interview itself, stops me from overflowing with excitement and false hope and encourages me to keep looking for other opportunities. It’s not good to put all of your eggs in one basket anyway, and when you approach the interview as a meeting, you’ll be going in much more relaxed than you would be during an all-or-nothing interview. It’s crucial to seem poised and avoid coming across as desperate, and treating the interaction as a meeting could keep you from falling into these traps. It’s also nice not to be rattled and nervous before talking to someone, as you can never anticipate what their energy will be like.

Laura Donovan is a writer in her birth city of Los Angeles. She previously wrote and edited for Mic News, The Maude, Mediaite, The Levo League, and The Daily Caller. She still hasn't figured out LA's intimidating parking situation, but anything beats the chilly winters she endured for three years on the East Coast. A lifelong writer, her biggest vice is stealing pens from hotels, car dealerships, bars, restaurants, and other public places, and she can also finish a Cheez-Its box in one sitting. Follow her on Twitter at @lauradonovanua.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1420238604 Alicia Mendez

I like to think of job interviews as my interviewing THEM. Obviously this is getting easier as the job market improves, but no matter how desperate for employment I am, it’s just as important that I like the job and the company. Approaching interviews this way has really helped me think critically about my career goals and boosted my confidence going into an interview. If the company isn’t concerned with wooing potential hires then chances are they aren’t going to be too appreciative of you once you’re hired. This strategy has also really helped me when negotiating pay to remember to ask for what I’m worth!

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1394250836 Fran Ces

This is amazing! And such a good idea. I wish I would have done this when I was first starting out.

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